Implementing Your Project

Steps & Techniques: Implementing Your Project

Plant Natives: Live Plants: Transferring Your Plan Onto the Land

Once you've got your design on paper, it has to be transferred onto your
shoreline. If you're doing your project in phases, mark each phase as you plan
to complete the work. Since the master plan is to scale, a tape measure or
marked rope can be used to transfer the lines from the plan onto the ground.
Use landmarks such as trees, buildings or the shoreline edge to help you place
the lines.

First, mark the buffer edge. The edge can be marked with spray paint, flagging,
or stakes and twine. If you are removing or killing turf, wait until the turf
is removed or dead before marking the remaining areas on your property.

In order to make the plant placement easier, it is helpful to mark the
transitional zone. When it is time for planting, it will help you place the
plants within the appropriate zone. This is especially useful when there are
volunteers helping with the planting.

Depending upon the planting method and the complexity of the planting plan, you
may want to mark additional areas. For example, if you have designated a path,
mark the path through the buffer so you don't inadvertently plant within that
area. Maybe there is a seating area you've identified within the buffer that
should be marked. In a more formally designed buffer, you can mark areas of
plant groupings.

Don't forget to mark off and protect areas that you've identified as an
existing native plant community. In some cases you may find just a few
remaining native plants that you want to flag and protect.